South Africa's Springboks demonstrated remarkable resilience by defeating Italy 32-14 in Turin, despite playing much of the match with only 13 players following a controversial red card. The victory highlighted their tactical adjustments and mental toughness under pressure. Key tries from Marco van Staden, Morné van den Berg, Grant Williams, and Ethan Hooker secured the win.
The Springboks faced early adversity in Turin when lock Franco Mostert received a red card in the eleventh minute for a tackle on Italy's flyhalf Paolo Garbisi. New Zealand referee James Doleman deemed it clear head contact, though the contact appeared to be shoulder-to-shoulder, with Mostert bent at the waist and Garbisi dipping late. This left the team with 14 players, and later 13 when Marco van Staden was sin-binned for killing the ball near his line in the second half.
Coach Rassie Erasmus responded decisively with tactical substitutions. He replaced flank Ben-Jason Dixon with lock Ruan Nortjé to manage the lineout, hooked prop Zach Porthen for Wilco Louw to stabilize the scrum, brought on Gerhard Steenekamp for Boan Venter, and introduced André Esterhuizen for wing Edwill van der Merwe. By halftime, these changes had helped the Springboks lead 10-3, thanks to a try by van Staden from a free kick after an Italian scrum infringement.
Italy's Garbisi kicked three penalties, including two early in the second half that narrowed the gap to one point. Handré Pollard responded with two penalties of his own to maintain a four-point lead. While down to 13 men, scrumhalf Morné van den Berg scored from a five-metre scrum, breaking the game open. Grant Williams added another try, set up by Damian Willemse's high ball fielding, Manie Libbok's long pass, and Canan Moodie's step and inside ball that evaded four defenders. Ethan Hooker sealed the victory with his first Test try in the final minute.
Fullback Damian Willemse was omnipresent in defense and attack, while RG Snyman captained the side, Kwagga Smith excelled at the breakdown, and hooker Johan Grobbelaar played the full 80 minutes. Italy's only try came from fullback Ange Capuozzo via an inside pass from Garbisi. Conversions were by Pollard (two) and Libbok (one). This performance underscores the Springboks' ability to adapt and prevail against the odds.